Presidential Debate at Hofstra: 24 Protesters Arrested for Disorderly Conduct

Patch is at Hofstra University covering all aspects of Monday night's debate between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Scroll down for live updates.

Trump and Clinton are set to face off in the highly anticipated first of three presidential debates at Hofstra University in New York on Monday night — a blockbuster of a debate that's expected to draw a record-setting viewership, which some are anticipating to be as many as 100 million across television and live-streaming on websites and social media platforms.

This page will be frequently updated to include details inside, outside and around the debate. To view a live-stream of the the debate and take part in a conversation with fellow voters, click here beginning at 9 p.m.

LIVE UPDATES since 10:10 p.m.

The free speech zone was filled with supporters of Gary Johnson, Jill Stein and other protesters with their own political agendas. Very few anti-Clinton and anti-Trump signs were seen.

Molly from Bushwick, a supporter of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, says American government needs to change and include minority leaders in the debate.

Caleb Sweeny, of Quincy, Massachusetts also a supporter of Stein, says neither of the two candidates have spoken for the people.

"People need to start thinking outside the two party system and start building progress and do that by giving exposure and give a voice to these people like Gary Johnson and Jill Stein that are an alternative to the two party system."

Twenty-four protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct at Hofstra before the commencement of the debate, Nassau Police told Patch.

Notorious boxing promoter Don King was spotted inside the presidential debate. King used the N-word while introducing Donald Trump at an event inside a church last week, according to CNN.

Jill Stein protesters were seen arrested at Hofstra University outside the debate. Stein, the Green Party presidential candidate, was escorted off the campus earlier in the evening after she reportedly did not have the proper credentials.

"There's always these allegations and he always come out on top," Rep. Peter King says of Trump, whose Trump Foundation is being investigated by New York's attorney general.

Photos of the Trump corner in the media filing center:

Spell check was not a top priority for the ticket makers of tonight's debate. Hillary Clinton is misspelled as "Hilary Clinton" on the official event tickets.

Debate security is in full force around Hofstra University. Nassau County Police is on Hofstra's campus with police dogs, and officers are blocking off roads leading into the university to ensure the safety of the debate.

The cost of Wi-Fi in the official media area is $200. A Patch reporter witnessed two reporters bribing students $20 for their Wi-Fi passwords.

A suspicious package by the Axinn Library is being investigated. Officials have blocked all access to the main unispan pic.twitter.com/IqpBu9YObk

The media area has been blocked off as of 5:45 p.m. following a report of a suspicious package.

Big players from most of the major media outlets were at Hofstra to cover the debate.

Major news outlets had stages and attractions set up for debate attendees to check out.

A line of student protesters walked through the student center at 4:20 p.m. chanting "No justice, no peace" while carrying signs like "My vagina, my choice," "Abolish whiteness" and "End the silence, stop gun violence."

Presidential Green Party candidate Jill Stein announced she was escorted off Hofstra's campus for doing an interview. She is not allowed to conduct anymore press in the area, Stein tweeted.

Debate moderator Lester Holt of NBC News announced the topics for the debates earlier this week: "America's Direction," "Achieving Prosperity" and "Securing America." But be sure to check out our presidential debate primer to see how each candidate will be looking to attack the other one.

The Debate Details:

When: Monday, Sept. 26, 2016

Time: 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. EST; no commercial breaks

How to watch the debate live: Go here.

Where: Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York

Who: Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, moderator Lester Holt of NBC News; Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein failed to make the debate based on recent polling.

Format: The debate will be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on major topics selected by the moderator. The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Candidates will then have an opportunity to respond to each other. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

Logo Credit: Hofstra University